Yellow tabebuia trees are blooming all over South Florida and that means Spring is here. The next few months will bring us some of the best fishing of the year. As evidenced by this month’s local cover shot, some big kingfish have already moved into the neighborhood and that’s good news for upcoming meat tournaments. Along with the kings, some bigger blackfin tunas will be biting in 100 to 300 feet of water, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. My biggest blackfins have come on a live pilchard or threadfin flatlined way out from the boat. I like a 20 pound spinning outfit and use 6 to 8 feet of 30 to 40 pound fluorocarbon leader with a 4/0 to 6/0 circle hook connected to the business end with a loop knot. You can use the same set up to pitch a live bait at a sailfish or dolphin. Dolphin have long been my favorite species to target because of their spectacular colors and acrobatic displays. I’m often asked, how can I catch more dolphin? My best answer is that you have to fish the conditions. On flat calm days, you may have to run and gun offshore. On days with strong easterly winds, the dolphin will be closer to the beach. Another great tip is to always be prepared with a small bucket filled with pre cut chunks of squid, bonito and ballyhoo so you are ready when you come across a floating pallet or that weed patch the size of a football field.
Keep reelin,
GENE DYER
Editor & Publisher
Coastal Angler Fort Lauderdale
fortlauderdale@coastalanglermagazine.com
(954) 680-3900